By Jennifer L. Holm
What a great read! A pleasurable, multi-layered, multi-generational read that I really enjoyed! This book is full of surprising twists and humor, most assuredly on every page. Ellie is embroiled in aiding her teenage grandfather, yep you read that right her teenage grandfather. Ellie is having a hard time with the fifth grade and the loss of her best friend and her goldfish, but things quickly change when her grandfather shows up on the doorstep. Her grandfather, a scientist, has discovered a fountain of youth, per say, a jelly fish of youth, and has rejuvenated himself to his teenage years. Unfortunately, for him, no one believes who he is and his discovery is going unnoticed!
Melvin is convinced that Ellie can help him break into his lab and retrieve the jellyfish so he can continue his experiments. Ellie and some new friends try to help him attempt several break ins at the lab, meanwhile Melvin discovers getting his youth back is not all he remembered. The obvious downfall is the return of acne, and the loss of his freedom of driving a car. His daughter is now responsible for her father and makes him help with chores and return to school, under the guise of a nephew. When Melvin discovers that he is not even mentioned in the science books, and many feel that he is a quack, things shift into high gear. Melvin eventually, sets out on his own, to discover more of the world. Ellie learns to appreciate science and discovery from her grandfather and truly misses him.
There are several lasting lessons in this book. One that you don't know what you will really miss until it is gone, two that the lessons that we learn and the interactions that we have outside of our own generation are exceedingly worthwhile. This is a fantastic book that I am giving a 4.5 stars out of 5, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and was very sad when I finished it. I feel that this book is appropriate for fourth grade and up and that everyone would enjoy the story.
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